This has been a pretty contentious article and discussion page, with lots of personal attacks and serious jurisdictional disputes. I'm really interested in a level-headed presenation of the facts of Orthodox church life on the ground here. These have been very hard to come by! It seems difficult to know who to trust in this particular situation. Ina ny case, for now, I propose we start here with a clean slate and see if we can make a better go of it a second time around. — [[User:FrJohn|<b>FrJohn</b>]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk]) 21:32, December 17, 2007 (PST)

−

This language is pretty strong -- maybe it would be helpful to have more identification here -- what are these groups like, what are they called? "Clandestine and cultic" should have some documentation to fill it out, otherwise this language is just regarded as personal opinion. — [[User:FrJohn|<b>FrJohn</b>]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

−

−

−

=="clandestine and cultic"==

−

−

Dear Father John,

−

The online dictionary defined the word '''clandestine''' as "'''existing or operating in a way so as to ensure complete concealment and confidentiality'''" ([http://www.answers.com/topic/clandestine]). The American Heritage Dictionary defined the word '''cult''' as "a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or '''false''', with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. The followers of such a religion or sect. Listed below are registered churches in the Philippines claiming to be "Orthodox". No other information can be obtained from the internet except the name of their church. I have talked with some members and clergymen of these "orthodox" groups years back while I was searchin for the true Orthodox Church and I found out that they professed the Hindu, Buddhist and "New Age" doctrine of Karma and '''Reincarnation'''. They also believed in "mediums" (i.e., Christ, God the Father, the Holy Spirit, the Theotokos, the Child Jesus etc. possesing their spiritual leaders (priests and bishops) thereby receiving from them the power to heal, prophesy etc.).

There are other unregistered clandestine and cultic "churches" claiming to be orthodox which are not included in the above list.

−

−

Father, since you find the language "pretty strong" please provide a more appropriate alternative. Thank you very much. [[User:Filipino|Filipino]] 21:27, June 7, 2007 (PDT)

−

−

::Thanks, Filipino - it's very interesting, if not helpful, to see all of those groups. Perhaps strong language is appropriate, but maybe they are not all clandestine or cultic according to your definitions? Definitely they breed confusion, and it can be good to identify groups to avoid. — [[User:FrJohn|<b>FrJohn</b>]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk])

−

−

−

::Dear Father John I already removed the "strong language". Thank you for your unbiased insight and kind remarks.

−

[[User:Filipino|Filipino]] 10:24, June 8, 2007 (PDT)

−

−

== Antiochians in the Philippines ==

−

−

It appears that there is some polemic here, with Marcus representing the Antiochian side and Filipino representing the Greek side. Both have provided different histories of the origins of Orthodoxy in the Philippines, which each seem to bolster jurisdictional claims.

−

−

It's difficult for me to imagine that Antiochians aren't in communion with Greeks -- is this really the case? Was the deacon merely representing himself, or was he sent by his bishop?

−

−

I can definitely see the canonical problems here, though. It may be helpful to keep in mind that these canonical issues persist throughout the "diaspora" - hence the historical interest in claiming first landing in the country. There is no doubt that these conflicts will remain with us for some time. My hope is that on the wiki we can seek to describe the situation as completely and dispassionately as possible, with attention to the historical circumstance and competing canonical claims. — [[User:FrJohn|<b>FrJohn</b>]] ([http://www.orthodoxwiki.org/User_talk:FrJohn&action=edit&section=new talk]) 10:45, June 8, 2007 (PDT)

Latest revision as of 05:32, December 18, 2007

This has been a pretty contentious article and discussion page, with lots of personal attacks and serious jurisdictional disputes. I'm really interested in a level-headed presenation of the facts of Orthodox church life on the ground here. These have been very hard to come by! It seems difficult to know who to trust in this particular situation. Ina ny case, for now, I propose we start here with a clean slate and see if we can make a better go of it a second time around. — FrJohn (talk) 21:32, December 17, 2007 (PST)